Baghdad: In the presence of Basra Deputy Governor Hassan Thahir al-Najjar, the Iraqi and Iranian sides signed a contract to operate a river transport line between Basra and the Iranian city of Khorramshahr, via a ferry departing from the Basra Corniche dock.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Al-Najjar confirmed during the signing ceremony, which was attended by the acting head of the Iranian consulate in Basra, that the first river trip from Iran would depart on Monday, July 27. He noted that the local government, in cooperation with the Ministries of Culture and Tourism and Transport, had completed its preparations to receive pilgrims visiting the shrine of Imam Hussein (peace be upon him) via the river.

He added that the river line would continue operating after the Arba’een pilgrimage, with one daily round trip between Basra and Khorramshahr, in a step aimed at facilitating the movement of pilgrims and enhancing transportation and communication between the two countries.